King Mswati III International Airport targets E12bn investment

The Eswatini Civil Aviation Authority (ESWACAA) has unveiled an Inclusive Business Development Strategy Framework aimed at transforming King Mswati III International Airport into a major regional economic hub. The ambitious plan targets E12 billion in investment and the creation of 20,000 direct and indirect jobs by 2037.

Through the development of a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and an ‘Airport City,’ the authority intends to shift the airport’s role from a traditional aviation facility to an integrated economic engine. This strategy seeks to diversify revenue streams, with a goal for non-aeronautical income to account for 65 percent of total revenue.

Key objectives include handling 1.2 million passengers annually and achieving 100 percent renewable electricity for airport operations. Additionally, the framework aims for local small and medium enterprise procurement to constitute 40 percent of addressable spending. The development is expected to foster growth in sectors such as logistics, tourism, warehousing, retail, and light industrial activity.